Happy Landing by CoreyBlack
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Description
It's only 36 steps from the ground floor of my building to my third floor apartment. When I lived here the first time, in 1993, I could fly up those stairs in about 30 seconds. Now it takes about 30 minutes. I'm kidding, it only takes 27 minutes. (Rim shot) Anyway, all kidding aside, it takes a lot longer than it used to. And it's not just me, other people have complained about these stairs as well. We can't seem to figure out why they're so hard to climb. Could it be that the risers are so tall? Or that they curve so much? And at such a steep angle? Or is it that the carpet is so ugly that it depresses you to the point of seriously retarding forward motion? Or could it be that the youngest person I know will be 42 in July and we're all a lot older than we used to be? Nah, couldn't be that.
Anyway, whenever I ascend these stairs lately, I'm always very happy when I finally make it to my third floor landing. Of course the view down isn't for the squeamish. And That's why I very rarely look at it.
Photographed in the Albany Park area of Chicago on February 19, 2011.
Comments (17)
Chipka
Hey, I know that stairway...the smoking lounge (when Neil is busy doing that rude thing he does, endlessly) is at the bottom of it. And yeah, I'm only aware of the number of stairs when a nicotene fit is busy doing that nicotene fit at precisely the moment the entire back of the apartment is taken off line, due to...how shall I say this delicately...roommate issues? Anyway, enough about that. This is a great picture and I love the square spiral, and the flotsam at the bottom; they're a nice splash of color. Whose toys are those anyway? Great narrative too. All in all, I like this shot.
beachzz
Man, that first step!!! I stayed in a place in Mexico one time that had 100 (yep, I counted em!!) to the top. And the risers were not OSHA approved, they were BIG steps. I don't know how long it took me, but it was a trek, that's for sure. The reward was twofold--I was HOME and the view ROCKED!!
kgb224
Must be the age my friend. I also sometimes struggle with the stairs here at the complex and i live on the Second Floor. Sometimes i feel a pain in my knee when walking up the stairs and i do not know of any injuries to my knee. Stunning capture my friend.
whaleman
The real reason of course is that your building is growing a bit every year...first the steps become a bit higher, then every so often a new step is born and the others are subducted down to nearly their previous individual height, so it really does get more difficult with time. Well, that's my story...
auntietk
It's the carpet. Seriously. Have you considered that it might be artist abuse to have a carpet like that? I would be developing some sort of visually triggered post traumatic stress disorder. There is something intrinsically deadly dull about beige, and climbing stairs has to be one of the more boring activities in which one can engage. There is Nothing Going On while you're climbing stairs. It's the same thing, over and over and over (36 times and over) with only short breaks for turning corners. Do you get to the point where you look forward to turning a corner when climbing stairs? I do, and it's sick. Turning corners is not a naturally exciting activity! I love the shot. That is such a cool, classic, endlessly fascinating pov. Excellent picture!
bmac62
Well said. I am reading a book about the Statue of Liberty...all the rigmarole of getting the French people behind the artist, getting Americans jazzed up enough to accept the gift, donate Bedloe's Island for it and come up with the cash for the stone base. Well, all that aside, I visited it as a school boy of maybe 8 or 9. I ran up all 354 steps from the ground to the crown. Would I...could I do that today? Not on your life;-) POV for your image rocks!
durleybeachbum
Boy do I know that feeling! There are 130 something steps up the cliff from my beachhut to the car, and they aren't that beige. There are 16 steps up to my bedroom and they too have done the same thing as Wayne describes.. what a rotten trick! But aren't you lucky to live in a place where it appears to be safe to leave your appartment and not be mugged. It would scare me stiff to live in some of our blocks of flats.
flavia49
Wonderful POV!!
annie5
An excellent perspective! Very beautiful photo Corey :)
sandra46
TERRIFIC pov
anmes
Great shot
danapommet
I love this POV and at 68, the climb up to my second floor condo, takes its toll on my knees. We do have a lift but I refuse to use it until I have to. Dana
npauling
A great capture and I'm chuckling over your little story to go with it. I'm glad I don't have stairs to climb these days but I do have a hill to get up and that is getting harder and harder too.
jmb007
bien vue!
KatesFriend
I believe because this staircase forms a psychic vortex which pulls you back down to it bottom. Any Alfred Hitchcock movie can demonstrate that phenomena. I can feel the plunging pull from h- arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh! ......splat!
NefariousDrO
I think I agree, it's got to be that carpet! I can relate on both the squemishness of the view and the changes in how we view stairs as we get older... Still, that's a really nice shot, the colors and contrasting textures really make this interesting.
minos_6
Wait until you get to my age and need an elevator! Great capture, I like the depth and feel to it. It has an appealing hint of vertigo too. That carpet looks incredibly clean considering its colour - do all residents remove their footwear before walking on it?